2026 Stephen H. Philbin, II Award Recipient for Excellence in Legal Reporting
2026 Stephen H. Philbin Award Grand Prize Winner for Excellence in Legal Reporting - (pictured) Eva Parks, Martha Minjarez, and Edward Ayala, NBC5/KXAS-TV and Telemundo39
Title of Entry
Broken Pieces
Aired/Publication Date(s) - February 2026 - Mau 2026
Broken Process is a joint investigation where NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 exposed a failure in the justice system where defendants were never properly served despite sworn affidavits claiming they were. The team uncovered rising complaints against process servers in Denton, Ellis and Parker counties. Several JP Court Judges reported the problem was so bad they created a list of untrustworthy process servers. In some cases, judges had to reorder service which delayed the cases by weeks or months. The reporting caught the attention of the Texas Judicial Branch Commission and helped fuel discussion between about improving the state's oversight of process servers. In the months that followed, the commission implemented key reforms, including a new mandatory state licensing exam for all process servers, more stringent rules and code of conduct requirements, and updates to the sanction and violation matrix. Those changes helped strengthen confidence in the legal process and better protect Texans’ fundamental right to due process.
Media Organization
NBC5/KXAS-TV and Telemundo 39
Media Team
Scott Friedman Eva Parks Edward Ayala Martha Minjarez Arnold Gines
This entry includes the complete 4 part series.
2026 Stephen H. Philbin Award Second Prize Winners for Excellence in Legal Reporting - WFAA Investigative Reporting Team
Title of Entry
Someone fatally shot a man in daylight on the Square. Denton’s new lawsuit keeps the public in the dark.
Publication Date - April 14, 2026
Someone fatally shot a man in daylight on the Square. Denton's new lawsuit keeps public in the dark about the details months later” is an example of the real-life implications of public information law – and how a city can wield legal exceptions against the interest of the public it is meant to serve. This article recaps a highly public and controversial shooting on a downtown square in North Texas, the shooter’s subsequent no-bill and a municipality's attempts to withhold information about the shooting. The Denton Record-Chronicle spent months attempting to obtain records, which has culminated in an ongoing lawsuit filed against the Texas Attorney General. Through sources who champion public information law, the Record-Chronicle’s reporting provides commentary on the broader impact this lawsuit has on the interpretation of public information law in Texas.
Media Organization
Denton Record-Chronicle
Media Team
Brooke Colombo, reporter Claire Williams, editor
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